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Guide · Self-consumption

Self-consumption (autoconsumo) in Mexico: isolated or grid-connected

Self-consumption (autoconsumo) is the figure in Mexico’s 2025 Electricity Sector Law for generating on your own site the electricity you consume. It applies to plants of 0.7 MW or more, requires a generation permit from the CNE, Mexico’s National Energy Commission, and replaces abasto aislado (isolated supply). It can be isolated, with no grid connection, or grid-connected, with the option to deliver surplus energy to the grid.

What does the law say?

The Electricity Sector Law defines self-consumption in Article 30. The CNE provisions summarize it as follows (our translation):

“Self-consumption is the production of a Power Plant with a capacity equal to or greater than 0.7 MW that is intended to meet the on-site needs of the holder of a valid generation permit, and that may be carried out in isolated or interconnected form, preferably with renewable energy.”

CNE general administrative provisions on self-consumption (DOF, Mexico’s Official Gazette, December 12, 2025)

How do isolated and grid-connected self-consumption differ?

IsolatedGrid-connected
Grid connectionNo. The plant is not connected to the National Transmission Grid or the General Distribution NetworksYes, it connects to the grid
Where the energy goesAll output is consumed on site, within the Private NetworkConsumed on site; surplus can be injected into the grid
SurplusNoneDelivered without compensation, or sold if the conditions of Article 32 are met (including a valid generation permit and interconnection contract)
Legal basisArticle 31, Electricity Sector LawArticle 32, Electricity Sector Law

An isolated self-consumption permit can later be changed to grid-connected if the plant will inject surplus energy (Article 55 of the Regulations).

What happened to abasto aislado?

Abasto aislado (isolated supply) was the figure in the Electricity Industry Law. That law was repealed on March 18, 2025, and the Electricity Sector Law replaced abasto aislado with self-consumption. A former abasto aislado project is now assessed as self-consumption.

Which permits do I need?

  • From 0.7 MW: a generation permit from the CNE, in both modes.
  • From 0.7 to 20 MW, isolated or grid-connected: the Self-Consumption One-Stop Shop (Ventanilla Única de Autoconsumo) coordinates the filings. The CNE rules on the generation permit within a maximum of 30 business days.
  • Grid-connected, 0.7 to 20 MW: simplified procedure.
  • Isolated, up to 20 MW: exempt from the Energy Sector Social Impact Statement (Article 54 of the Regulations).
  • BESS associated with your plant: no storage permit is required if the energy is used only at your plant. See the battery guide

ENEGRIN handles the filings with the CNE and CENACE, Mexico’s grid operator.

How does it fit with cogeneration and BESS?

An ENEGRIN cogeneration or gas-fired plant on your site, above 1 MW, is self-consumption. If your process uses steam, hot water or cooling, we recover the engines’ heat and it is cogeneration. If not, it is on-site gas generation.

We prefer isolated self-consumption: a private electrical network for your plant, with power quality guaranteed by contract. The integrated BESS keeps the engines close to maximum efficiency. CFE or a qualified supplier remains as backup if you require it.

Industrial cogeneration: when it makes sense

If your plant has more than 1 MW and access to gas, let’s talk.

Talk to an engineer See Cogeneration

Sources

  1. CNE, general administrative provisions on self-consumption, DOF Dec 12, 2025 (includes Articles 30, 31 and 32 of the Electricity Sector Law).
  2. Regulations of the Electricity Sector Law, DOF Oct 3, 2025, Articles 50, 53, 54 and 55.
  3. Electricity Sector Law, DOF Mar 18, 2025 (repeals the Electricity Industry Law).
  4. SENER, Guidelines for the Self-Consumption One-Stop Shop, DOF May 8, 2026, section 7.
  5. CNE, provisions on energy storage, DOF Apr 16, 2026.